Oliver Smith, 21, has been sentenced today (Friday 24 January) to 12 years imprisonment after pleading guilty to multiple offences, including kidnapping and rape in Bordon.

Smith, of South Hurst, Whitehill, who identifies as transgender and uses they/them pronouns, entered the pleas when they appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court on Monday 4 November. They admitted:

Smith appeared again at the same court today, where they were jailed for 12 years with a further six year and six month extension to their license period. 

This conviction and sentence comes following an investigation which encompassed a number of different teams and resources across the force, working alongside our specialist Operation Amberstone team, who are highly trained to investigate reports of rape and sexual assault.

The investigation was launched after we received a report on Friday 27 September that a teenage girl had been raped by a man unknown to her in the Deadwater Valley area, after he approached her in a wooded area on her way to school and threatened her with a bladed box cutter.

A search of the area was conducted immediately and following a number of subsequent enquiries, Smith was arrested on Saturday 28 September. They were found having fled by train to Mallaig, a remote area at the end of the train line in Scotland, and was brought back to Hampshire by colleagues from Police Scotland.

Upon sentencing, the judge said that Smith’s behaviour was “planned and premediated (…) calculated and predatory” and that they were “sure (Smith) planned what to do that day.”

The judge also added that they wanted to “pay tribute to (the victim’s) extraordinary courage” and that the “profound trauma cannot be understated.” They noted that “she was very vulnerable” and “should have expected to walk to school in safety”.

Investigating officer for this case, PSI Doug Gould from Operation Amberstone said, “Today’s sentence sends a clear message that Oliver Smith’s shocking predatory behaviour will not be tolerated. 

“Smith’s actions have had a serious impact not only on the victim, who has shown tremendous courage throughout proceedings, but also on the community in Bordon as well.

“I’d like to commend the victim for her bravery and her support and hope that this sentence will provide some closure. I also hope this case encourages others to speak out and seek support if they have been the victim of sexual assault.”

Detective Inspector Claire Shawley said, “We will not tolerate violence against women and girls in our community and I am especially pleased that we were able to apprehend Smith so swiftly, as they pose a very serious threat to the public and deserves to be behind bars.

“It is our promise to anyone who comes forward to report any crime of a sexual nature that you will be listened to, believed and have the allegations taken extremely seriously. We have teams of specially trained officers who are dedicated not only to investigating these types of crimes, but to also ensuring that victims are put first and fully supported throughout the process.”  

We want to encourage anyone who has been affected by sexual assault to contact police on 101, where you can speak to an officer in confidence.

We recognise that not everyone has the confidence to talk to police about what they have experienced. Please be reassured that there are other services available that can offer you specialist support to help you deal with the impact of abuse.

For information and contact details relating to sexual abuse support services, you can visit our dedicated webpage: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rsa/rape-and-sexual-assault/support-for-victims-of-rape-and-sexual-assault/